[1 December 2015] A compilation of news from Tibet during November, plus international developments relating to Tibet, key statements and interviews. Includes state-sponsored religious repression, environmental warnings, China's bottled water industry, arrest of peaceful protestor and a recommended short video on the erosion of Tibetan culture and language.9 November: State-sanctioned religious repression in TibetThe Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy obtained and published an official local government document that calls for the intensification of the "purging and reforming" of religious institutions. As well as detailing further controls on religious activities the document stipulates that monasteries will be shut down if they fail to adhere to the regulations and individual monks and nuns "subjected to six months of rigorous political education". (TCHRD)

10 November: Over 100 nuns expelled from nunnery in DriruThe Chinese authorities have expelled 106 nuns from Jada nunnery in Driru (located in the Tibet Autonomous Region) on the pretext of not having proper documentation and failing to condemn the Dalai Lama as part of the official patriotic re-education campaign. Several residential quarters were also demolished. (Radio Free Asia)

11 November: Party warns members against following Dalai Lama
Xi Jinping's drive to root out corrupt officials is to be used against Tibetan government officials who "pretend not to be religious but indeed are". According to the Tibet Autonomous Region's Party Chief Chen Quanguo, secret adherents of the Dalai Lama will be sought out by the Communist Party's anticorruption and discipline agency. (NY Times)

11 November: Sikyong calls for protection of Tibet's environment
The Sikyong (Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile), Lobsang Sangay, issued a stark warning about environmental damage to the Tibetan plateau prior to the Paris climate summit (COP21). The Sikyong said, "The United Nations must act by recognising the significance of the Tibetan plateau. A comprehensive understanding of global climate change is impossible without looking at Tibet." (The Guardian)

16 November: Plateau eyed up by bottled water industryChinese suppliers of bottled water are looking to expand production on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. With concerns of water pollution and quality growing across China, interest in the Tibetan plateau has increased because of its perceived purity. The TAR regional government is aiding the industry with a 10-year growth plan. (The Guardian)

19 November: China claims it has âno political prisonersâ
Chinaâs record on torture has been condemned during a review process at the UN. Tibet activists presented evidence that torture remains endemic in Tibet whilst other experts and witnesses condemned the use of torture throughout China. The Chinese delegation defended its record and even claimed there are âno cases of political prisonersâ in China. (Tibet Society)

23 November: US officials visit a 'false' LhasaA US Congressional delegation visited Lhasa in November, the first such visit to Tibet since 2008. The seven-member delegation said the trip had ârevealed certain truthsâ but hoped it was a step towards resolving the situation. It later emerged that China had presented a false reality of Lhasa during the visit, by removing security personnel and forcing Tibetans to stage religious activities. (Tibet Society)

27 November: Monks to be educated against separatism
Local authorities in Nangchen, Qinghai province are to deploy officials to local monasteries "to guard against continued overseas influence of separatism on monks". A local official said it was part of the Qinghai's ongoing program to assist monks' welfare and education. (Phayul)

28 November: A Tibetan's journey for justice
A recommended video by The New York Times (9 minutes). A Tibetan travels to Beijing to try and find justice over China's policies which are eradicating Tibetan culture and language.

30 November: Tibetan arrested for peaceful protestA Tibetan man, Jampa Sangay, has been arrested following a peaceful protest. Jampa distributed leaflets and called for the long life of the Dalai Lama as he walked along the main road in Kardze, Sichuan province. His condition and whereabouts are unknown. (Phayul)

30 November: Chinese Dalai Lama will "ensure victory"
A top Chinese Communist Party official has reasserted China's claim to decide the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The chairman of China's Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee said the government's appointment would "ensure victory over the anti-separatist struggle". Chinese officials have also said the current Dalai Lama has no right to abandon reincarnation. (Reuters)
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